Mental health challenges take many forms. One of those forms is the use and abuse of substances to cope with the stresses and challenges of life. Unfortunately, as we so often learn throughout our lives, plastering over problems with drugs or alcohol may feel like a short-term solution, but it causes more long-term damage than you might expect.
Addiction isn’t a personal failing or a lack of morality. Chemical dependencies are very real, and those substances can have devastating long-term effects. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use, finding appropriate treatment can be the step you need to get back on track.
There are many different kinds of treatment for substance use, but one of the most effective is the IOP, or Intensive Outpatient Program. There are many of these available in the Detroit area, so let’s talk about what they are, how they work, and where you can go to seek treatment.
Experiencing a crisis? Mental health challenges, including substance use, don’t wait for convenient treatment or business hours. Don’t wait to seek care, either. In Michigan, calling 988 connects you to our fantastic crisis and access line, where trained operators are standing by to help you in whatever way you need. You can call, text, or use the web chat, all for free and anonymously. You aren’t alone, so reach out.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical or psychological advice. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any mental health condition or replace professional therapeutic care. Every individual's experience with trauma and mental health is unique. Please consult with a qualified mental health professional, therapist, or healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment approach for your specific situation. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please contact your local emergency services or crisis hotline immediately.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
Substance use treatment programs run a range of levels of care.
At the lowest level, you have peer support groups. These are programs like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. These may meet once or twice a week, may have light responsibilities, and are often self-guided with some level of experienced peer support, but relatively little in the way of therapists or other specialists involved.
A step above those support groups are more generalized therapy options. Individual therapy and counseling, CBT or DBT, psychiatric care, and group therapy are all generally led by a trained therapist and are more tailored to the specific needs of the individual or group receiving care. They might not meet any more frequently, but the care is more targeted.
The step above that is the IOP. All three of these categories can be considered outpatient treatment options, and Intensive Outpatient Programs are the most intensive of them. They typically involve individual therapy, group therapy, and/or family therapy, in a mix that is best suited to the needs of the individual.
What makes IOP intensive is the amount of therapy involved. Instead of 1-2 sessions per week of 1-2 hours each, an IOP will usually have more, as much as 10-15 hours of therapy each week. This level of care is meant to provide a greater level of support and accountability, with more direct positive reinforcement and the ability to react to changes in circumstances more quickly.
The step above IOP is inpatient care, which involves going into a detox program or rehab center. Unlike outpatient care, inpatient care requires you to spend your time in the facility and away from the stresses, influences, and access to substances that left you in need of treatment in the first place.
There’s also a midway point between IOP and inpatient care, called a PHP, or Partial Hospitalization Program. These are not fully inpatient, and you’re free to go home in the evenings, but you spend all day at the treatment center.
The benefit of intensive outpatient care is the ability to maintain a semblance of normalcy in your life while still undergoing intensive treatment. You don’t have to take time off work (though taking FMLA for mental health reasons is a valid use) or your other responsibilities, but you have greater access to care than through lower-level forms of treatment.
A typical IOP might include 3-5 sessions per week, 2-3 hours per session, with a licensed clinician who specializes in substance use disorder. Sometimes they’re in-person only, while others are hybrid with some virtual meetings.
Note: Many IOPs are focused on substance use disorder and substance abuse, but not all of them are solely restricted. Some programs offer generalized mental health IOPs focused on depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and other challenges. There are also some adolescent-focused IOPs, though they are less common.
Often, IOPs include an element of family therapy. Over the years, studies have shown that it’s easier and more reliable over the long term to fight substance use when you have a support network of family and friends.
Including family and your support network in the therapy sessions can help educate them on the realities of substance use disorder and other mental health challenges. They can then help you get and stay clean in ways that help rather than hurt.
IOPs also frequently include elements of medication management in support of treatment. Since they’re run by licensed clinicians, they can prescribe relevant medications and adjust prescriptions as you progress, for the most appropriate care for your situation.
Who Qualifies for an Intensive Outpatient Program?
When it comes to peer support and therapy, the bar is fairly low. If you have any mental health challenges you’re struggling with, you can seek therapy or support.
With an IOP, the bar is a little higher. This is because IOPs put a lot of effort into developing customized treatment plans for each individual patient, to best suit your specific needs and ensure you’re getting the most effective care you can receive.
The specific requirements to participate in an IOP can vary depending on the program and provider. Generally speaking, it might be something like:
- Must have or obtain a diagnosis of substance use or a mental health disorder.
- Must commit to attending all sessions, with possible loss of participation for missing sessions.
- Must have a stable living environment. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to combat substance use while coping with housing insecurity.
- Must have a willingness to be an active participant in therapy and put in the work towards recovery.
Insurance may or may not be a requirement. IOPs can be somewhat costly without insurance coverage, though again, it depends on the program. It can be difficult to estimate these costs, since they can depend on the program and your individual needs.
IOPs can last for anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks on average.
Typically, an IOP begins with a set of assessments. These assessments will determine if you have more immediate needs, like detox, which an IOP may not be prepared to handle (and may refer you to a PHP or short-term inpatient care to get clean first). They will also analyze your severity of addiction or your overall symptoms, and determine your needs.
If your needs are minimal enough, you may be referred to more traditional outpatient therapy. If they’re severe enough, you may be recommended to seek inpatient care. Mild to moderate symptoms indicate that an IOP may be right for you.
There isn’t really a standardized process for making this determination, so if one IOP provider determines that you aren’t suitable for their program, don’t give up; you can check with other IOP providers and see what they say.
What Are the IOP Providers in the Detroit Area?
There are a decent number of providers of intensive outpatient programs in the greater Detroit area. Chances are good that there’s at least one near you, and if you’re willing to travel, your options open up.
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network
DWIHN offers a lot of services focused on substance use and substance abuse disorders in the Detroit area. In addition to more standard programs, they also offer a 24/7/365 access line you can call at 800-241-4949. This line can help you identify local services, including many of the programs below.
As you would expect, Henry Ford offers an intensive outpatient program at several of their locations. Specifically, they have online sessions available through the Maplegrove Center in West Bloomfield and the Medical Center on Ford Road in Dearborn, as well as in-person sessions at the Allegiance Substance Abuse Services center in Jackson. All of these run through Henry Ford, so you can contact any of their facilities and be redirected to the appropriate location for your needs.
LifeStance Health is one of the larger networks of service providers offering substance use IOPs throughout the Detroit area. They actually have locations in 33 states, with numerous locations within the greater Detroit area, including:
- 20500 Eureka Rd in Taylor
- 5958 N Canton Center Rd in Canton
- 2350 Green Rd in Ann Arbor
- 24715 Little Mack Ave in St. Clair Shores
- 29201 Telegraph Road in Southfield
- 44725 Grand River Ave in Novi
- 53435 Grand River Ave in New Hudson
- 1760 South Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills
- 2251 N Squirrel Rd in Auburn Hills
These locations generally share a list of services that includes IOPs focusing on substance use, and may also be available for more general mental health concerns.
Located right here in Troy, Pasadena Villa offers virtual intensive outpatient, standard in-person IOP, and partial hospitalization programs, all of which are flexible and allow for robust treatment. They also have a second location in Novi, if that’s more convenient for you (as well as locations in Lansing and Grand Rapids). You can view their website for further information and to contact them.
Found in Royal Oak, Skywood Recovery offers an intensive outpatient program focused on substance use, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders. Their flexible program utilizes both traditional therapy and holistic therapies, including yoga and meditation, and can serve as a stand-alone treatment or a step-down from inpatient treatment.
Oakland Psychological Clinic of Michigan
Oakland Psych has locations in Bloomfield Hills, Fenton, Flint, Fraser, Grand Blanc, Lake Orion, Livonia, and Milford. In addition to many standard therapy options, they offer an intensive outpatient program for substance abuse treatment. You can find their contact information at the link above.
Zion Healing Center is another network with multiple locations throughout the country. Two of them are in the state of Michigan: one in Grand Rapids and one in Detroit in the Mount Clemens area. The Detroit location offers an IOP focused primarily on mental health rather than substance use, and uses TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) therapy alongside more traditional therapies.
Elmhurst Home is a facility that offers, among other things, outpatient and intensive outpatient programs for adults with substance use disorders, as well as mental illness. Patients must reside in Wayne County to be eligible for their programs.
Liberty House is an outpatient treatment center in Wixom. They focus on outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs, along with sober living environments. Their approach to substance use disorder includes a holistic approach that encourages mindfulness, physical fitness, nutritional guidance, and even creative therapy.
While not in Detroit, Key Development Center is located in Howell, so if you’re on the outskirts of Detroit in the direction of Lansing, they may be a viable option. They generally serve patients in Howell and Brighton, specifically. More information on their intensive outpatient program is available on their website.
As with any of our lists, we try to be as complete and useful as possible, but there are a lot of programs available, and they often change names as health services change, doctors move, and practices merge. If you know of additional IOPs or if any of the information above has changed, feel free to let us know.
How We Can Help
Intensive outpatient programs are an excellent option for people who need more help than typical therapy and peer support groups can provide, and for people who are stepping down from inpatient or partial hospitalization programs.
While we don’t offer an IOP of our own, we can serve as a further continuation of care once you complete your IOP with one of the many centers listed above. When you’re finished, you can contact us and pick up where you left off with medication management, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and more. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment, visit our website and fill out our new patient electronic form. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, so feel free to drop us a line.